The danger of elitism

I’m a person who typically takes a very active interest in all things political.

Even so, a Senate race in Iowa isn’t the sort of thing that I would normally pay attention to.

In fact, unless I had friends or family participating in the campaign in one way or another such a race would likely fly under my radar completely.

Representative Bruce Braley of Iowa has recently changed all of that, however.

Braley is a Democrat running for the Senate in Iowa and he recently made some statements on the campaign trail that I think may provide a clue as to why people these days seem to feel such a sense of detachment from their government.

In an attempt to garner more votes, Representative Braley recently made the following statement: “If you help me win this race you may have someone with your background, your experience, your voice-someone who’s been literally fighting tort reform for 30 years in a visible and public way on the Senate Judiciary [Committee]. Or you might have a farmer from Iowa who never went to law school, never practiced law, serving as the next chair of the Senate Judiciary. Because if Democrats lose the majority, Chuck Grassley will be the next chair of the Senate Judiciary.”

Braley’s comments drew fire almost immediately and amid mounting pressure from all sides he issued a statement of apology on March 25.

“I apologize to Senator Grassley and anyone I may have offended,” said Braley. “My parents both grew up on Iowa farms during the Great Depression. It deeply influenced who they are and who I am and gave me a profound appreciation for what farmers do for the world.”

While that apology is all well and good, I believe Braley’s original comment with regard to Senator Grassly and his background as a farmer more accurately reflects his true opinion than does his mea culpa.For more on this and other stories pick up your copy of The Elsberry Democrat today from one of our several locations. You can also sign up for the online edition by visiting http://elsberrydemocrat.com and clicking on Subscribe …